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Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Our Military & Veterans
Crestview Elks Lodge Honors Veterans with Meal, Wreath and Flags
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
On Nov. 11, Crestview Elks Lodge #2624 provided a free meal to veterans. The lodge also participated in the annual city Veterans Day Memorial Service by presenting a patriotic wreath with the Elks logo. Members also helped CHS JROTC members plant a field of 100 flags in front of Crestview High School.
Pictured are members serving meals to veterans, the wreath and the field of flags.
South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge Fill Backpacks with Supplies for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness
- Details
- Written by South Miami/Coral Gables Elks
On Dec. 21, South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge #1676 delivered 100 backpacks to the Miami VA Healthcare System to be distributed to veterans experiencing homelessness. The backpacks included tents, ponchos, mosquito repellant, unscented baby wipes, toilet paper, socks, various toiletries, protein bars, dried fruit packs and food gift cards. The funds used to purchase these items came from the Elks National Veterans Service Commission $1,000 Freedom Grant and $10,000 Focus Grant. Members Rick Del Vecchio and Capt. Fred Jaca, PDD delivered the packages to the VA.
Lodge members are pictured packing the backpacks.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge Donates $7,000 to Southeastern Guide Dogs' Paws for Patriots
- Details
- Written by JoAnn Reddy
On Nov. 28, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge donated $3,500 to Southeastern Guide Dogs. The money was raised in August during a Paws for Patriots fundraising dinner. An additional $3,500 was matched by select members, making the total donation $7,000.
Pictured are Tom Sweeney, Veterans Lodge Committee Chair, and Sean Brown, Southeastern Guide Dogs Associate Director.
Village of Valor Receives Donation from Boca Raton Elks
- Details
- Written by Boca Raton Elks
On Dec. 5, Boca Raton Elks Lodge #2166 donated $900 of its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to the Village of Valor, which supports veterans rejoining society.
Pictured are Casimiro Hampton-Crockett, Village Deputy Director; Tito Young, PER; Paula Buss, member; Shirley Board, Exalted Ruler; and John De Cicco, member.
West Citrus Elks Deliver Gifts to Veterans
- Details
- Written by Brian Estus, PDD
On Dec. 21, members of the West Citrus Elks Lodge Veterans Committee visited Crystel Gem to deliver Christmas gifts to the veterans who live there. Crystal Gem is one of the local assisted living facilities visited monthly by the committee. Gifts were purchased using funds from the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant.
Sebring Elks Lodge Donates 10 Wreaths to Wreaths Across America
- Details
- Written by Ronna Mason, PER
On Dec. 16, Sebring Lodge participated in the Highlands County observance of the national Wreaths Across America program. This took place at the Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Avon Park. The lodge paid for 10 of the 528 wreaths, which were placed on the graves by volunteers. Member Ron Schilffarth represented the Lodge Veterans Committee.
Pictured are volunteers placing the wreaths.
Fort Myers Ladies of Elks Assist Veteran's Family for the Holidays
- Details
- Written by Diane Hendrick
On Dec. 17, the Fort Myers Ladies of Elks presented a family with a $300 Publix gift card, receipt for a turkey dinner for Christmas, and a rolling cooler filled with treats for the family. The father is a veteran who is in need of assistance for his family and was referred to the Ladies of Elks through Hearts and Homes for Veterans Inc.
Pictured is Kathy Lake, Ladies President, presenting the gifts to the family.
Sebring Elks Host Annual Veterans Luncheon
- Details
- Written by Ronna Mason, PER
On Dec. 6, Sebring Lodge hosted its annual Christmas luncheon for veterans at the lodge. There were 31 veterans and their caregivers in attendance from several local assisted living facilities as well as invited veterans. Also in attendance were lodge volunteers and Santa (nonmember Chip Boring). Ret. Sergeant Jose Santos, pictured, gave the opening prayer and presented each veteran with a special veterans pin. A ham dinner was provided by the Elks and cooked by Chef Jacob Lyons from Hands for Homeless. Member Patsy Howard sang "Proud To Be an American."
Veterans Receive Holiday Gifts from Bradenton Elks
- Details
- Written by Bob Erwin, PDD
The Bradenton Elks Lodge Veterans Committee and members who gave gifts, with the assistance of the Blessing Bags Project, a local nonprofit organization serving Manatee and Sarasota counties and the Sun Key Villages, a Palmetto community, delivered $3,500 in personal and comfort items to the C.W. Bill Young Veterans’ housing facility.
Pictured are Betsy Plant from the Blessing Bags Project; Bill Rauh, Lodge Veterans Chair; and Barbara Bouchard of Sun Key Villages.
Parrish Elks Participate in Two Wreaths Across America Events
- Details
- Written by Anthony D'Abbraccio
On Dec. 15, members of Parrish Elks Lodge #2889 took part in two Wreaths Across America events. At noon, members assisted the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 325 in laying their 1,700 wreaths at veterans’ graves at Mansion Memorial Cemetery in Ellenton. At 3 p.m., lodge members, along with Parrish High School's Key Club members, laid wreaths at 87 veterans’ graves at Parrish Cemetery in Parrish.
Members pictured at Mansion Memorial Cemetery are Anthony D'Abbraccio, Dennis O'Hare, Ken Knight, Chris O'Hare, Kim Bahlke, Sherri Crunk-Gumbs and LeeAnn Mitchell.
Bonita Springs-Estero Elks Entertain Veterans at Jacobson House
- Details
- Written by Shirley Thompson
On Nov. 29, Bonita Springs-Estero Elks Lodge #2753 volunteers went to the Jacobson House to entertain the veterans with karaoke singers. They also brought $500 worth of handmade blankets along with toothbrushes, toothpaste, crossword puzzle books and socks.
Karaoke singers pictured in the front are Phil Boucher, Phyliss Steelsmith, Pete Thompson and Steve Neelin as veterans watch from the audience. Frank LaBletta told jokes.
Sanford Elks Swing 4 Veterans
- Details
- Written by Cristin Rumler
Sanford Elks Lodge #1241 hosted its first Swing 4 Veterans charity golf tournament Oct. 29. The tournament was held at the Mayfair Country Club in Sanford and had 121 players, including members and nonmembers. There were 32 hole sponsors and six corporate sponsors. The event raised $10,147 to support the lodge’s various veterans programs.
Pictured are a golfer swinging in front of a sponsor sign and a general view of players and golf carts.